We may not have any waves and our water may be filled with pharmaceuticals, but it could always be worse. Toxic, even.

So goes Geoff Manaugh on the all-knowing BLDGBLOG  with a post on how the U.S. military (and plenty of other countries, too) dumped tons of chemical weapons into the ocean starting way back in the 1940s. Says New Scientist magazine:

“But the military have lost track of most of the weapons because of haphazard record keeping combined with imprecise navigation. Even the exact chemicals were not always noted, though there are records of shells, rockets and barrels containing sulphur mustard and nerve agents such as sarin.”

More quotes and stunning facts to be had at the full post here. Probably wise to take more than just a wet suit on your next dive.

Tags: bldgblog, chemical weapons, ocean, pollution, us military